University of Arkansas System

Home / News / Four Finalists Named in UAFS Chancellor Search

Four Finalists Named in UAFS Chancellor Search

by

LITTLE ROCK (March 20, 2019) – University of Arkansas System President Donald R. Bobbitt today named four finalists in the search for the next chancellor at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS).

The four finalists, who will all make formal visits to the UAFS campus in the coming weeks and participate in public forums, include:

*All public forums will be held from 3:45 p.m. – 5 p.m. in the Reynolds Room at the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center on the UAFS campus on the date of the finalists’ visits included by their names

  • Marilyn J. Wells, Ph.D.: (March 25) Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Minnesota State University, Mankato
  • Robert Marley, Ph.D.: (March 28) Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla
  • Philip K. Way, Ph.D.: (April 1) Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
  • Terisa C. Riley, Ph.D.: (April 4) Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and University Administration, Texas A&M University – Kingsville

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to present these four highly qualified individuals to the UAFS students, faculty, staff and to our trustees,” Bobbitt said. “I’m confident that all four finalists in this extremely talented group have the skills and experience to thrive as the next UAFS chancellor, and I believe that all four have an understanding and appreciation of the important role this university plays in that growing region and within our University system.”

More information about each candidate, including photos and biographical information, can be found under the “Finalists for Position” tab on the UAFS Chancellor Search website that was created to keep the campus and community informed about the progress of the search.

“I’m very grateful for the hard work and dedication of the members of our advisory search committee throughout this process,” said Dr. Margaret Tanner, associate provost for academic affairs at UAFS who chaired the search committee put in place by Bobbitt when the search began last fall. “We have four unique finalists who all have impressive credentials and the experience necessary to lead our institution. I’m very excited to have each of them visit campus and our community in the coming weeks.”